National Ledger - Jeff Conaway Declares He's Now Cured and Sober

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By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith Feb 25, 2009

Jeff Conaway, most known from his roles on "Taxi" and "Grease," gained a new reputation in the last few years as an addict. The actor, who was seen hunched over and suffering from a severe back injury, appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," where fans were shocked by his declining health.

However, Conaway now declares to this column that he is finally sober. "I had my fifth operation in November, and I'm standing up straight and walking normally. The doctors even called it a miracle. I'm really happy, pleased and clean," says the actor.

Conway's problems started with a broken back, and escalated as he became addicted not only to painkillers, but to cocaine and alcohol -- which, he says, he used to try to deal with pain that his prescription meds weren't touching.

He's thrilled with his new lease on life and is already taking meetings about upcoming acting projects -- but says he wishes Dr. Drew Pinsky had had more faith in his back recovery.

"Dr. Drew told me, 'You're not going to get better. This is as good as it's going to get. You've had four surgeries already. It didn't work. Nothing's going to work,'" he recalls. "I was shocked that a man in that position would deflate someone's 'go getting-ness.' Don't get me wrong, I love Dr. Drew," he adds. "I think he's a wonderful, dedicated, terrific man, but I got him on this one."

Asked if he'd consider returning to the VH1 show, Conaway tells us, "I'm not rushing to go back to that circus. I think I'm pretty done with that. The only reason I would go back would be to be an example of somebody who went through it and made it."

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